The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 233
Translated by Pure
Chapter 233 Escape by Feigning Death (1)
After finishing the tea, she slowly returned to the Academy. It was then that she encountered Zhang Jieran, who was holding a book, ready to have an academic exchange with her.
Along the way, she encountered Zhang Jieran, holding a book and preparing for an academic exchange. It dawned on Wen Yantong that Zhang Jieran was unaware of her plan of feigning death. However, it was not the right time for her to mention it now. Naturally, the fewer people who know about this kind of thing, the better.
Zhang Jieran genuinely considered her a friend. If she refrained from disclosing this information, his mood might be adversely affected when it occurred. She was caught in this dilemma.
Zhang Jieran noticed her internal struggle and proactively inquired, "What's wrong? You look worried."
Wen Yantong shook her head hurriedly, "No, no, it's just that I have some problems I can't seem to find a solution to."
As an academic enthusiast, Zhang Jieran was eager to help, "If you're facing difficult questions and don't mind my knowledge, you can share them with me, and I'll try my best to assist."
Wen Yantong opened a book and randomly chose a question. Zhang Jieran took it seriously and earnestly helped her solve the problem.
That night, Wen Yantong began packing her belongings. When she initially moved from her shared dormitory to Chi Jingxi's single dormitory, most of her things were transferred by Fu Tanghuan's servants, so there wasn't much to pack this time.
After being bestowed a residence in the city, Wen Yantong had already moved out a lot. So, as she packed again this time, there wasn't much left to do.
The guards sent by Cheng Xin were all skilled in martial arts. They carried Wen Yantong's various-sized bags silently, taking the items out of the Academy during the quiet hours of the night.
Wen Yantong nearly emptied everything in two days. She maintained a normal routine during the day, attending classes at the Academy as if nothing was happening, and continued to move her belongings at night.
Late at night, two days later, the weight of her actions suddenly dawned on her and Wen Yantong was so nervous that sleep eluded her.
Fully dressed, Wen Yantong lay on the bed, anxiously anticipating the anticipated knock on her door.
Although she had completely reloaded her items, certain basic supplies needed to be left behind – the bedding on the bed, the decorations on the table, and the books on the shelf were replaced with scrap paper. Cheng Xin had assured her that when the time comes, the fire would reduce everything to ashes and make it unidentifiable.
It's a regrettable reality that this was where Chi Jingxi resided. The memories of living with him in this space are still vivid, as if they occurred just yesterday. Undoubtedly, it stirs up a sense of nostalgia.
However, to successfully escape, this building cannot be preserved.
Wen Yantong spent most of the night lying down, reminiscing about the shared moments. As everyone in the Academy slept, a gentle knock on her door signaled it was time.
Wen Yantong gathered her remaining belongings, donned a large black cloak, covered her face with a hood, and discreetly departed from the Academy with the guards.
Soon after her departure, a blazing fire erupted in the bedroom.
Fuelled by frameable oil, the flames roared fiercely, illuminating the night when the wind stirred and flames danced.
The discovery of the inferno shattered the quietude of the Academy, replaced by the cacophony of screams and shouts echoing through the night.
Having stayed awake for most of the night, Wen Yantong finally returned to Wen Residence and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. The thought of no longer needing to rise early for classes brought a sense of relaxation, and she slept exceptionally soundly.
On the other hand, the residents of the Academy toiled until dawn attempting to extinguish the flames. Although the fire couldn't be entirely quenched, the near-complete incineration of the belongings caused the structure to collapse into ashes, reducing the flames to a smolder.
As the fire was finally tamed, wearied servants surrounded the scene. With the dawn breaking in the east, restoring light to the earth, what was once an exquisite and luxurious bedroom transformed into a desolate landscape of emptiness.
Students and teachers gathered to witness the aftermath, and upon learning that Wen Yantong had resided there, a wave of lamentations and speculative comments filled the air.
Some claimed that Wen Yantong, having grown accustomed to the care of the Little Marquis, struggled to adapt once he left. Allegedly, left neglected, he was confined to a room and met a tragic end in the flames.
Others insinuated that Wen Yantong, a commoner initially bullied in the Academy, ascended in social status through his connection with the esteemed Little Marquis. This sudden rise allegedly stirred jealousy and animosity, prompting ill-intentions that resulted in the destructive fire.
Despite the myriad guesses circulating, the actual circumstances would remain unpredicted.
The devastating truth struck everyone when they retrieved a charred corpse from the ruins, confirming that Wen Yantong had indeed perished in the fire.
Among those deeply affected, Zhang Jieran felt the weight of the tragedy most profoundly.
Upon hearing about the blaze in Wen Yantong's quarters, he hastily donned his outer robe and rushed to the scene. Witnessing the ferocity of the flames, he ardently joined the firefighting efforts, tirelessly shuttling back and forth with a water bucket in hand. Overwhelmed by panic, he stumbled several times along the way, drenching himself in the process.
Little did they know that, in the end, all their efforts would only unveil the servants dragging out a blackened, charred figure.
Witnessing the heartbreaking scene, Zhang Jieran crumbled, embracing the charred figure in his arms, and succumbed to tears. His mournful sobs triggered a cascade of sorrow among the onlookers, with many others joining in the collective grief.
Another deeply affected soul was Zhao Yu.
Despite Wen Yantong's occasionally disruptive behavior in class—nodding off, engaging in whispered conversations with Mu Yang—Zhao Yu held a deep affection for her mathematical knowledge. He believed that her potential surpassed even his own arithmetic skills and envisioned her as a future pillar of the nation. Little did he anticipate that a merciless fire would snatch away this once-in-a-century genius.
Zhao Yu cherished the idiosyncratic Wen Yantong, and the sudden tragic news overwhelmed him. Unable to cope, he collapsed on the spot and lost consciousness.
Concerned individuals swiftly carried him away, summoning a doctor to attend to him.
When Zhao Yu regained consciousness later in the afternoon, he sprang out of bed with a kip-up, seizing someone to inquire about Wen Yantong's fate. Upon learning of her confirmed demise, he broke into tears, his nose running with mucus.
Despite the sorrow felt by everyone at the Academy, Wen Yantong slept soundly at Wen Residence. Upon waking up, she instructed her servants to prepare a meal.
Having completely severed ties with Songhai Academy, she relished the newfound freedom from the early morning classes that had been a constant source of inconvenience. Now liberated from this obligation, she felt a significant weight lifted from her heart.
After lounging in Wen Residence for a few days, Cheng Xin delivered a message, informing her that the Academy had dispatched representatives to Chang'an. Their plan was to arrange a simple funeral for Wen Yantong and then transport the remains back to Chang'an.
Wen Yantong was unaware of the destination in Chang’an for the body of the unknown death row prisoner, but she was rather curious about ‘her’ funeral arrangements.
Thus, on that day, she dressed in white with a veil to conceal her face. Upon arriving at Songhai Academy, she anticipated a perfunctory ceremony, but to her surprise, everyone present seemed genuinely grief-stricken. Strangers, whom she couldn't recognize, cried as if mourning a close relative, with the haunting sound of the suona amplifying the mournful atmosphere.
Amidst the mourners, Zhang Jieran's intense emotional display caught her attention and concern.
He appeared to have been crying continuously in the past few days. His eyes were swollen, and his usually handsome face had turned pale with grief, giving him an appearance of extreme sadness.
On the other hand, Teacher Zhao, perhaps fearing his own sorrow, chose not to attend.
Witnessing Zhang Jieran in such a state made Wen Yantong uneasy. She resolved to personally address this issue with him if she found the opportunity in the future.
Among the mourners, she also noticed Teacher Hua, an old acquaintance, standing with red eyes, and several students from Class Sixth of Ding who had frequently engaged in conversations with her.
The subtle sorrow of those who quietly grieved touched her more deeply than the loud cries of others. She discovered that not only Chi Jingxi and his friends, but there were also people who cared about her.
Her time at the Academy had not been in vain…
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T/N: School arc over